Dick Allen

Scott Podsednik is the worst LF in baseball.

QUOTE(zygoat @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 04:39 PM) i would not trade Vaz for Lidge. Here are my reasons. 1. Vaz is a solid pitcher through 5 innings, and if he doenst come in the 6th, he's fine 2. Lidge is really screwed up and sucks at pitching this year 3. Starting pitching needs to remain deep in our situation, because if we only have 5 starters, and one goes down, who comes in? 4. Vaz had a great speech on comcast and he sounded pissed that he sucks so far this year. Im expecting a turnaround Vazquez was pissed that he sucked with the Yankees, his attitude has never been a problem. For all his talent, he just isn't very good. It was interesting yesterday that coming into the game both Vazquez and Bruce Chen were 1 under .500 in their careers, and both had similar career ERAs. Chen has been on almost every team in the major leagues. Vazquez makes $12 million a year. Someone was very stupid to give Vazquez that contract.

I guess the distraction excuse should be gone. There is no reason the Sox shouldn't sweep this series, but I'll take 2 out of 3.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:37 PM) I'm an idiot, I was thinking he was in the AL (don't ask me why). I can't believe the Angels didn't get him to begin with. He was a nice fit for their team, and they have plenty of prospects to deal.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:33 PM) I wouldn't be shocked if talks continue for Soriano as he may pass through waivers to the point that a team thats interested in him can claim him and have some exclusive talks with the Nats. That would probably be a team like the Angels (since they are the AL contenders with the worse records who'd probably be willing to try and work something) I don't think he would clear NL waivers. I don't think there's a chance in hell of it actually.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:29 PM) per espn, Soriano not traded. Wow, looks like everyone called Bowden's bluff. Either that, or they are very confident they can sign him.

QUOTE(champ @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:25 PM) Why the hell would we need Lugo? We don't need a terrible defensive SS... Keep the White Sox wife beater-free.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:22 PM) I wouldn't be shocked if that was true. If he's the best hitter on the team, and the best defensive first baseman, why was acquiring Jim Thome one of the reasons Paulie gave for re-signing? If Gload's a better hitter, wouldn't playing him regularly have sufficed?

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 03:21 PM) ??? He has a career line of .261/.295/.338. He isn't an efficient base stealer, but he has some speed. His only real asset is his glove. He's a bench player. I don't think he's very good, but when there were rumors of KW's interest a couple months ago, if you read some of the posts, you would have thought his bust has already been made for Cooperstown.

Did anyone hear DJ or Hawk say yesterday that Konerko said Gload would be the best hitter on the White Sox if he got regular playing time? I can't believe KW is getting roster advice from him.

Its funny how much worse of a player Izturus has become on this board once its gone from KW wanting to get him, to his now being on the Cubs.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 09:16 AM) Something I've noticed about Hawk lately is that he is back into '2000-2004 voice'. Hawk is on the inside and gave up on all those teams. He didn't sound that way last year at all, even during the 'collapse'. Hawk is as optimistic as they come, but he is back to the "Sox are 8 1/2 back but have 10 games left with the Tigers" crap. How many years did we hear that about the Twins? The Sox can't sweep Baltimore, how do you expect them to take 10 from Detroit?

So the reason Buerhle's location is off is the guy behind the plate. Interesting that a guy with a CERA over his team's ERA for his career is a guy that will turn Buerhle around and get him to get his control back.

I think KW doing nothing is a mistake. He needs to be working the phones trying to better this team. This is not 2005. This team has not shown it is better than the rest. As it stands now the Sox are competing with NY and Min for the WC and got swept by both recently. NY has improved themselves, Minnesota might. Overtaking Detroit is a pipedream at this point in time. You should never be satisfied with your roster,no matter what position your club is in. QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 30, 2006 -> 06:35 PM) Umm....wouldn't pessimism towards the Sox equate to the opposite view of opposing teams? I thought I had stated in my post about the Yankees that they would be very tough to beat if they can get their guys back healthy, and then be able to keep that lineup the rest of the way. Right now, they only have two reliable pitchers in Mussina and Wang. Johnson looks injured yesterday, and Wright's been awful recently. 2 reliable starters. Sounds familiar.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Jul 30, 2006 -> 04:24 PM) Well Ozzie is full of spiff. He was quoted in Monday suntimes that he would have the pen ready and would pull him on the first sign of trouble. I call a dong a sign of trouble. But Ozzie had to wait until he was on the verge of a nuclear meltdown. Vazquez's last 6th inning meltdown, he had Cotts ready to start the inning, but didn't insert him until the damage was done.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 30, 2006 -> 06:12 PM) This was one of the poorer managed games of the season, and I don't think many people would argue with that. I'm still puzzled why our middle infield wasn't at DP depth for the last batter. I was wondering that as well. And why does Ozzie wait until Vazquez has the lead run on base before he is pulled? Note to Ozzie: waiting for a few more hits doesn't do anything for your bullpen. They still have to get the same amount of outs. Its so apparent when Vazquez is going to fall apart, yet the dugout seems to want to look the other way.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 30, 2006 -> 01:11 PM) With the Yankees picking up Abreu and Lidle, the Sox should really make a trade to bolster the offense or starting pitching. Dye,Paulie and Thome told KW the roster he's paying $100 million for is good enough. Who are you to question it? I think they could use a boost myself. It probably isn't going to happen, but you never know until tomorrow.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 30, 2006 -> 01:08 PM) It only took them 4 months to realize that Politte was worthless this year. And they still haven't figured out that Sandy Alomar Jr. is a nice guy, but not a very good baseball player at this point.

The back-up CF issue needs to be addressed. I don't know how many times Mackowiak has to show you he can't play CF before Ozzie and KW realize something needs to be done about it.

Supposedly Tejada is balking at playing 3B which is where he would play for both the Angels and Rangers. I think he stays in Baltimore.

To answer your question, the most the Sox HAVE to pay Crede next year is $0.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Jul 30, 2006 -> 08:57 AM) Rob Mackowiak, Jim Thome, Brian N. Anderson have combined for 42 HR, 121 RBI. Carl Everett, Frank Thomas, Aaron Rowand have combined for 43 HR 128 RBI. I don't see the huge gain. Your numbers are skewed. Everett and Thomas, if both on the White Sox, would not have had the ABs they have received this year. The White Sox offense is so much better than last year when Everett, Thomas and Rowand were on the team, it isn't even funny. Thome has had a big effect, and his being left handed has had a big effect, as it has caused intentional walks and numerous pitching changes which get the Sox deep into the opponents bullpen. I can't see how anyone can argue with keeping last year's guys. The offense is so much better now.

The Sox won the series, which is what they wanted to do. Even if you have the bullpen totally rested for Vazquez and lose yesterday because of it, the very best you would be able to do is take 2 of 3. That is now the worst-case scenerio. Ozzie's no wizard when handling his bullpen, but he did the right thing yesterday, and got the all important win.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 10:11 PM) Vazquez also had an ERA+ of 135 in 01, 106 in 02 and 154 in 03. For comparisons sake, Contreras had a ERA+ of 122 in 2005, and 132 so far this season. Looks pretty similar there to me. I'd rather look at 04,05 and 06 than look at 01,02,03. It seems a better indicator of what to expect. Vazquez is a far better pitcher when there is little to no pressure on him. If the Sox score 9 runs in the first 3 innings, he generally cruises. He pitched great in meaningless games for the Expos. Throw him on the mound in a tough situation and expect him to win, he will pitch well enough to lose.

Hopefully the Sox get a huge lead early. Vazquez seems to pitch a lot better when the Sox score early and often. If the Sox are facing Chen, there's an excellent chance Vazquez will have some runs to work with. 8 is the magic number. In 8 of his 9 victories, the Sox have scored 8 or more runs.